Social & Policy Sciences MPhil and PhD

The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) programme will enable you to conduct supervised research into your chosen topic and produce a written thesis (typically up to 70,000 words). You can complete the MPhil in 1 to 3 years (full-time) or up to 4 years (part-time).

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme comprises a more significant piece of research which will enable you to contribute to the academic community through a larger written thesis (typically up to 90,000 words). You can complete your PhD in 2 to 4 years (full-time) or up to 6 years (part-time).

Many of our part-time students also work in a professional role directly related to their research, or sometimes as an academic in another university in the UK or elsewhere.

Overview

Our staff provide an overview of the PhD application process.

Students carry out a supervised programme of research at the leading edge of their chosen subject. From an initial proposal, students design and conduct a research programme under the direction of one or two members of our academic staff. The PhD research is written up as a substantial thesis and assessed in an extensive oral examination. You can choose to study any topic in which we have research expertise. Details of research staff expertise and interests are available on individual staff pages.

Benefits of the MPhil and PhD

An opportunity to undertake original, in-depth research under expert supervision, within a supportive and vibrant research student community.

Access to advanced inter-disciplinary training in methodological skills, substantive subjects and additional research and presentation skills at the University of Bath and as part of the South West Doctoral Training Centre (with Universities of Bristol and Exeter).

The opportunity to present your work and discuss it with other researchers working on similar topics and participate in departmental research centre activities.

The opportunity to develop skills and a broader knowledge base by contributing to teaching.

The excellence of the research undertaken within the Department of Social & Policy Sciences has been recognised most recently by the award of the prestigious Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2011.

Study options

We are an internationally-recognised research-intensive Department with a strong focus on policy and practice, and a commitment to contribute to social wellbeing and social justice. We offer supervisory expertise in four disciplines:

International Development

Social Policy

Sociology

Social work

Our PhDs are not formally assigned a discipline and successful candidates can describe their PhD to reflect its main research area (e.g. PhD in Social Policy; PhD in International Development).

We have particular strengths in international and comparative research across the globe in all our disciplines. Our staff have published research on the UK, Europe, South and South-East Asia, East and West Africa, and Latin America, among others. Our staff, and research students, conduct research across disciplinary boundaries, and frequently work with colleagues from other disciplines in the department, as well as with colleagues in politics, psychology, economics.

The international and interdisciplinary focus of our research is reflected in the topics of our current research students and in the atmosphere of our lively and active research student community.

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

First or 2:1 Honours degree (or equivalent) in an appropriate subject, from a recognised university.

A Masters degree or appropriate research training is also normally required. We consider applicants without Masters or appropriate research training on a case by case basis. We might require applicants to satisfactorily complete one of our Masters programmes, or to attend some/all of the units of our MRes programmes while undertaking the MPhil or PhD programme.

English requirements

Certificates must be dated to within two years of the start of the programme of study.

IELTS 7.0 (with no less than 6.5 in each of the four components)

PTE Academic of 69 with no less than 62 in any component

If you wish to improve your English proficiency before commencing your studies, pre-sessional language training can be arranged through the Academic Skills Centre.

References

Two references are required. At least one of these should be an academic reference.

Introduction

The international excellence of our research was recognised by the award of the prestigious Queen's Anniversary Prize in 2011.

We are committed to advancing learning and knowledge through teaching and research. Our Department collaborates with a wide range of users at the local, national, European and global levels.

Postgraduate programmes

We offer a wide range of postgraduate programmes. Our postgraduate teaching strongly reflects our research and our links to policy-makers and development institutions at the national, European and global level.

Our Department also has an active MPhil/PhD research programme. We take great pride in fostering a friendly and supportive learning environment.

Seminar series

We run a lively and well attended postgraduate research seminar series. Each of the Research Centres run seminar series and conferences associated with their research activities. The University of Bath also has a Research in the World public lecture series where key national and international academics are invited to speak.

Careers information

We are committed to ensuring that postgraduate students acquire a range of subject-specific and generic skills during their training. Our graduates generally go on to work in a wide variety of organisations, for example:

social research in universities and research institutes, government, business, voluntary organisations and international organisations

public policy analysis at local, national and international levels

public information and campaigning within organisations concerned with wellbeing, sustainability and social justice.